What Do You Need to Know About Narrator and Voice?

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "What Do You Need to Know About Narrator and Voice?"— Presentation transcript:

1What Do You Need to Know About Narrator and Voice?Feature MenuNarratorOmniscient NarratorFirst-Person NarratorUnreliable NarratorThird-Person-Limited NarratorYour TurnTone and VoiceToneVoice

2NarratorWhen you read a story, the narrator—or storyteller—controls everything you know about the characters and events.

3NarratorA writer’s choice of a narrator determines the point of view of the story—the perspective from which the story is told.Three main types of narrators—or points of view—areomniscient,first-person, andthird-person limited.

4Narrator: Omniscient NarratorWhen the omniscient point of view is used, the narratoris not a character in the story,almost never refers to himself or herself directly,knows all, andcan tell us what every character thinks and feels.

5Narrator: Omniscient NarratorQuick CheckHow can you tell this is an omniscient narrator?One day, a young woman looked out her apartment window and saw a man playing a saxophone. “Cool,” she thought as she swayed to his tune. A big brown dog joined the man and howled along with the music.Then a man in pajamas yelled from another window, complaining that the noise woke him up and he was going to call the police. This man, who worked the night shift and had to sleep all day, liked cats better than dogs anyway. The young saxophonist left.

6Narrator: Omniscient NarratorQuick CheckHow can you tell this is an omniscient narrator?One day, a young woman looked out her apartment window and saw a man playing a saxophone. “Cool,” she thought as she swayed to his tune. A big brown dog joined the man and howled along with the music.Then a man in pajamas yelled from another window, complaining that the noise woke him up and he was going to call the police. This man, who worked the night shift and had to sleep all day, liked cats better than dogs anyway. The young saxophonist left.The narrator isn’t a character in the story. The narrator knows what multiple characters are doing, thinking, and feeling.

7Narrator: First-Person NarratorA first-person narratoris a character in the story,talks to us using first-person pronouns, such as I and me, andreveals only what he or she thinks and experiences.Because the writer has adopted a personality and is not the speaker, a first-person narrator is sometimes called a persona.

8Narrator: First-Person NarratorQuick CheckWhen I went to bed that night, I had no idea what the morning would bring. I only knew the knot in my stomach as I tossed and turned. Though I was sure that Nana’s surgery would go well, doubts tormented me.The next morning, I tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen and saw the relief on my father’s face. I heaved a huge sigh of relief, and the muscles in my face relaxed.How can you tell this is a first-person narrator?

9Narrator: First-Person NarratorQuick CheckWhen I went to bed that night, I had no idea what the morning would bring. I only knew the knot in my stomach as I tossed and turned. Though I was sure that Nana’s surgery would go well, doubts tormented me.The next morning, I tiptoed downstairs to the kitchen and saw the relief on my father’s face. I heaved a huge sigh of relief, and the muscles in my face relaxed.How can you tell this is a first-person narrator?The narrator is a character in the story and uses first-person pronouns.Also, we know only what the narrator thinks and feels.

10Narrator: Unreliable NarratorAn unreliable narrator is biased about or ignorant of what has actually occurred.Always question whether a first-person narrator is credible, or can be trusted.

11Narrator: Third-Person-Limited NarratorIn the third-person-limited point of view, the narratorfocuses on one character’s thoughts and reactions,uses third-person pronouns when talking about that character,limits what we know about other characters, andplays no part in the story.

12Narrator: Third-Person-Limited NarratorQuick CheckAt seven o’clock, they sat down to dinner. Frederick took his seat at the head of the table, proud host of their first dinner party. Looking across the dining table, however, he noticed that someone was missing. Where was Suzanne?Embarrassed, Frederick excused himself and left his guests to serve themselves.Where had Suzanne gone?How can you tell this is a third-person-limited point of view?

13Narrator: Third-Person-Limited NarratorQuick CheckAt seven o’clock, they sat down to dinner. Frederick took his seat at the head of the table, proud host of their first dinner party. Looking across the dining table, however, he noticed that someone was missing. Where was Suzanne?Embarrassed, Frederick excused himself and left his guests to serve themselves.Where had Suzanne gone?How can you tell this is a third-person-limited point of view?The narrator uses third-person pronouns, focuses on only one character’s thoughts and actions, and limits what we know.

14Tone and VoiceAt some point, you may have been told to watch your tone of voice.Your tone—your attitude—affects your voice, or how you sound to other people.Writers use tone and voice to show attitude and to make their writing distinctive.

16Tone and Voice: ToneIn the following passage, notice how individual words and phrases contribute to the tone.Sonia lifted the puppy to her chest and stroked his soft fur. Stretched out, the puppy was almost as big as she was. Nuzzling her face in the puppy’s neck, Sonia whispered gently, “It’s okay.” The puppy shook in the presence of the newcomers, but he softened now in Sonia’s arms.Sonia lifted the puppy to her chest and stroked his soft fur. Stretched out, the puppy was almost as big as she was. Nuzzling her face in the puppy’s neck, Sonia whispered gently, “It’s okay.” The puppy shook in the presence of the newcomers, but it softened now in Sonia’s arms.How would you describe the tone?

17Tone and Voice: VoiceA writer’s voice is his or her unique use of language and overall style.Just as you can identify your friend’s voice on the phone, you can often identify a writer from a work’s voice.

18Tone and Voice: VoiceNarrators are sometimes described as having a voice created by theirmanner of speaking,word choice, andtone.A narrator’s voice can affect our view of characters and events, and shape the story’s tone.

19Tone and Voice: Voice Quick CheckHow does the narrator sound as she argues with her sister?Which words contribute to your impression?“What do you think you’re doing?” I shouted. “Put it down—or else!”“You’re not wearing it,” Kayla muttered. “You never wear it. Why can’t I?”“Because it’s mine!”“You’re so selfish,” Kayla muttered, jamming the shirt back onto a hanger. She slammed the closet door.“Get out of my room,” I told her. I’d just about had it with my younger sister. She was always stealing my very favorite clothes.

20Tone and Voice: Voice Quick CheckHow does the narrator sound as she argues with her sister?Which words contribute to your impression?“What do you think you’re doing?” I shouted. “Put it down—or else!”“You’re not wearing it,” Kayla muttered. “You never wear it. Why can’t I?”“Because it’s mine!”“You’re so selfish,” Kayla muttered, jamming the shirt back onto a hanger. She slammed the closet door.“Get out of my room,” I told her. I’d just about had it with my younger sister. She was always stealing my very favorite clothes.She sounds angry and immature.The words in red contribute to her voice and tone.

21Analyze Point of ViewYour TurnPair up with a classmate and choose a favorite fairytale, such as “Cinderella.” Then, take turns telling parts of the storyas a first-person narratoras an unreliable narratoras a third-person-limited narratoras an omniscient narratorWith each retelling, discuss how the change in point of view affects your experience of the story.